For many Americans, the question "Should I visit North Korea?" has never entered their minds. "Can I visit?" is more apt. "Why would I?" the natural follow-up. It's the rare place that even some of the most intrepid travelers refuse to visit—but North Korea is a rare place indeed. Under the rule of Kim Jong-il and now his son, Kim Jong-un, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has become something of a mythical territory, earning nicknames like "Hermit Kingdom" for its outlaw status. We know what's in Western media: that, currently and most troubling, 2017 has been the year of North Korean missile tests. One was launched over Japan on August 29, prompting 'shelter in place' texts to go out to Japanese citizens. (Traveler editor Sebastian Modak was in Japan at the time—you'll hear about his experience if you listen in.)

We also know that, up until recently, Americans were technically permitted to visit, though we only made up approximately 20 percent of the 4,000 to 5,000 Western tourists who visited the country annually, according to The New York Times. It wasn't until September 1 that the U.S. State Department barred Americans from visiting because of the "serious and mounting risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. citizens." Only journalists and humanitarian workers can enter North Korea with a U.S. passport right now.

The prohibition was first announced by the Trump administration in July, a month after Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old student who traveled to North Korea with Young Pioneer Tours, was released and transferred to the United States after having been detained in January 2016 and sentenced to 15 years in prison, accused of taking a propaganda sign from a hotel. He was returned to the United States, however, in a coma, reportedly brought on by botulism, according to North Korean officials. He died a week after arriving United States without regaining consciousness. According to the U.S. State Department, at least 16 U.S. citizens have been detained in North Korea in the past decade.

Which all begs the question: Should Western tourists visit North Korea? Is it an act of voyeurism, or can tourism actually help the country? Does cultural diplomacy outweigh the risk of life? Would you go, if given the opportunity? Listen to this week's Travelogue podcast and let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter. Many thanks to Brad Rickman, Sebastian Modak, and Laura Redman for their spirited debate, and engineer Brett Fuchs for his technical wizardry. Check back every Friday for the latest installment of Travelogue. To keep up with our podcast each week, subscribe to Travelogue on the iTunes store or wherever you get your podcasts.